Tag Archives: ireland

Everyone is guilty of having a digital addiction. How do I know? Just visit a coffee shop. I challenge you to find just 3 patrons at your local caffeine peddler who isn’t focused on their digital device. Worse? How many of the patrons are communicating to someone within 5 feet of them via their digital device?

We often talk about how technology is becoming the most dominant force in the industry, and report on the willingness to adopt the latest innovative technologies.

And while holiday home owners should definitely be responding to this, there are still people in the world who want to take a break from today’s information overload: they are proudly referring to themselves as digital detoxers.

Who are the ‘digital detoxers’?

It’s almost impossible not to have your eyes glued to a screen for much of the day, so much so that people develop addictions and anxiety related to technology.

People have become stressed because they’re trying to keep up with all of their notifications, to the point that some travelers – the ‘digital detoxers’ – are recognizing the healthy need to take a break every so often and ‘switch off’.

15 million UK internet users have taken a digital detox to seek a more sustainable balance between life online and life beyond the screen.

1 in 3 adult internet users have sought up to a month offline.

Certain companies are already taking advantage of this, planning technology-free tours for travelers who want to escape the information grind.

So what can you do to attract these potential guests?

Encourage a real ‘connection’

Social media may be able to connect millions of people, allowing instant communication between them – but it’s an impersonal medium that does not enable a true emotional or sociable interaction.

Think about how your small holiday home can attract like-minded individuals and the way you use your space, amenities, and activities to foster true conversation and collaboration.

Digital detoxers will be in an extroverted frame of mind, enthusiastic about meeting other people, and eager to experience adventure.

Simplify options

The online world often bombards us with countless choices.

Whether it’s food, clothes, accessories, essentials, or experiences, there’s always an overload of variety that puts even more pressure on us to select the ‘correct’ one.

Digital detoxers will want less responsibility and easier decisions during all aspects of their trip. This can go a long way to refreshing your guests because less choice means less deliberation, and less stress.

Provide exciting tech-free activities

The only way to truly satisfy the digital detoxers’ need to escape technology and appreciate their time away is to provide enjoyable alternatives.

Consider offering:

List of yoga, dance, and pilates classes;

Relaxing massages and meditation;

Hobby classes such as cooking and crafting;

Mini-libraries and even writing nooks; and,

Partnering with tour operators to offer more adventurous pursuits like hiking and horse-riding tours.

Lean on mother nature

One of the first things people think of when they choose to depart on a digital detox is to go somewhere secluded – a forest, an island, outback terrain, or some other isolated yet beautiful location.

If your holiday home is in a position to promote any of these features, make sure you do so because it will likely be the most powerful selling point for tech-addicts looking for a break.

Even though guests will be very active in these locations, they will feel physically and mentally recharged.

Remember that exercise releases ‘feel-good’ endorphins that boost mood and energy levels and guests want to feel-good on a vacation.

The Mustang V8 5 Liter touring the Wild Atlantic Way with none other than Chad McQueen (Steve’s son), behind the wheel and on the “right side of the car”. First ever in Europe.

Though cool and a sight to see, I’m uncertain if Ireland is ready for American muscle. I mean, what’s the enthusiast gonna do with all that power on the curvy Wild Atlantic Way roads? I suppose the N6 and M1 will now be a little windier.

While I immediately loved Ireland I still love and miss Charleston, SC. It could be that for the lack of sunshine in Ireland, the Irish people have been blessed with a sunny disposition. It might just be all the “how you doing’s?” since it’s that kind of hello that perfectly opens a conversation. Either way, it really struck me how easy going the Irish are, how easy it was to just start a conversation and how people seemed interested in exchanging a word or two with you (I won’t assume they were).

It’s here that I’m learning about “taking it easy” and “being grand”. I’ve found it surprising how easy it is to meet new people and now I’m just enjoying the whole experience. Overall, Ireland seems to be like a good pint of Guiness. Once settled, beautiful.
In saying that, Galway is not too unlike Charleston in one fundamental aspect. We love visitors.

The 2016 food festivals promise to be every bit as good with proposals for ‘A Celebration of 100 Years of Food in Ireland‘, in addition to the ever popular cooking demonstrations and an expansion of the eclectic ‘programme of Food Tours’ to include trips to the Aran Islands, the Burren, farms, producers and craft brewers.

The novelty activity of ‘digging for their dinner’ will also be introduced this year with a seaside foraging trip taking place for those interested. Other quirky events will include pop ups, cocktail classes, wine tastings and a comprehensive schedule of talks on a range of topical issues in the food and drinks industry.